San Francisco Chronicle newspaper vendor Dallas Ayers waits for customers February 24, 2009, in San Francisco, California. Ayers was attacked on the street Jan. 28, 2013, and died of his injuries Feb. 21, 2013. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Last year, TSA stopped me at the security check because I had a cup of yogurt in my bag. Although I acknowledge that any liquid or gel-like items could possibly be turned into a chemical bomb, it is obvious that knives are more dangerous.

Compared with the process of making a chemical bomb, a knife is an easier way to make a problem on an airplane.

Moreover, passengers are still not allowed to bring razor blades. What is the difference between short knives and razor blades?

TSA's reputation will be worsened if it does not have a logical standard. My suggestion is that if potentially dangerous items are not allowed on an airplane, the policy should be strictly executed, including short knives or baseball bats.

Xiangrong Zheng, San Francisco

Hospital deal is healing

I read with great interest your editorial "A healthy compromise" (March 7). The Sutter hospital deal is important for San Francisco. It is reassuring and in fact inspiring that our city political leaders were able to take on a large and complex project, put in the time and energy to understand it and have the wisdom, intelligence and sense of duty to reach a compromise for the benefit of our city.

Could we ever have the audacity to hope and expect that our federal leaders could act in this way for the benefit of all American citizens? In today's fractious, ideological political environment, I would give Supervisors David Campos, David Chiu and Mark Farrell higher than a passing grade.

They have my sincere appreciation and respect. Since I am in Farrell's district, I would offer special thanks to him for this important and significant outcome.

Is Yosemite outlawing fun?

Yosemite National Park managers have become the grinch that stole the vacation ("Yosemite plan would give big relief to giant sequoias," Feb. 27).

The proposed Merced River Plan, written to protect and enhance the river, would have the swimming pools at the Lodge and Ahwahnee hotels removed because they are "not necessary." (Yet the pools are not as near the river as many buildings.)

The ice rink and horseback riding would also go, along with the ability for people to rent rafts or bikes, because they are "not necessary."

Are they using John Muir as a role model? Muir got by with a fire, some tea and bread. With Muir as a national park role model, tents and hotel rooms are also not necessary. Fun is not necessary. The Park Service is taking comments on the plan until April 18.

Gentleman newsie: R.I.P.

I was able to buy a newspaper from a machine. Got on the train. I always read the Bay Area section first. Horrified when I read that the gentleman whom I always called "sir," the newspaper vendor Dallas Ayers, had died ("Newspaper vendor dies," Feb. 26).

I knew that he was in hospital, having broken a hip for the second time. Now I understand he had been attacked.

Dallas, if I may call him by his first name, was always so happy and chatty. We would talk about the weather, the Giants, the 49ers.

Made my day.

Now I'm very depressed.

A very good, happy, likable person has died. I will lay flowers to his memory at his stand. I hope that all of his customers will do so also.